Theodore M. Hesburgh Award For Leadership Excellence

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1 2012 Tiaa-Cref Theodore M. Hesburgh Award For Leadership Excellence Honoring Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón President, Miami Dade College And Dr. Charles B. Reed Chancellor, California State University

2 The strength of the academy and its ability to fuel our nation s competitiveness and prosperity rests largely on the talent and well-being of its leaders. It is a privilege to show our support and appreciation. Stephanie Bell-Rose Managing Director Head, TIAA-CREF Institute

3 The TIAA-CREF Institute receives many nominations of highly qualified candidates for the TIAA-CREF Hesburgh Award. It is presented to current college or university presidents or chancellors who embody the spirit of Father Theodore Hesburgh, and his contributions to higher education and society. The winners are chosen through a rigorous process by a panel of higher education leaders representing a full range of institutions. We are proud to honor the 2012 Hesburgh Award winners, Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, President of Miami Dade College, and Dr. Charles B. Reed, Chancellor of the California State University System. Our two honorees have consistently demonstrated the kind of courage, vision and leadership that s needed to help sustain our institutions of higher learning into the 21st century. At Miami Dade College, Dr. Padrón is helping transform the role of community colleges in the U.S., raising their academic stature while preserving their mission to teach underserved populations. Dr. Reed, in the face of California s crippling higher education budget cuts, is helping to continue delivering affordable, accessible, and high-quality educations for an entire generation of California State University students. We salute their commitment to the greater good and wish them success and continued achievement for many years to come. TIAA-CREF Theodore M. Hesburgh Award 1

The winners are chosen through a rigorous process by a panel of higher education leaders representing a full range of institutions. We are proud to honor the 2012 Hesburgh Award winners, Dr.

4 Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón President Miami Dade College Opening doors and opportunities for all communities Cuban-born Eduardo J. Padrón arrived in the U.S. as a refugee at the age of 15. In the 1960s, with a limited grasp of English and little chance of attending any other college, he attended Miami Dade College, a two-year community college. Then, after working his way to a doctorate in economics at the University of Florida, Dr. Padrón made the choice to repay a debt he felt he owed to society. He turned down a lucrative job offer with DuPont, started working at Miami Dade, and has stayed for 40 years. Since becoming president of Miami Dade in 1995, Dr. Padrón has followed a simple formula: Combine open access with a strong culture of teaching excellence. We call it a dream factory, said Dr. Padrón. We give people who ordinarily wouldn t have the opportunity a second chance. A majority of our students come to us unprepared. It takes effort and money to get them to a level where they can compete. If we say, You are not prepared. We won t admit you, thousands and thousands would not be able to come to college. The cycle of poverty would continue. That s why this is so crucial. Today, Miami Dade is the nation s largest campus-based institution of higher education (enrollment 174,000), enrolling and graduating more Hispanics and African Americans than any other college in the country. It now offers not only two-year degrees, but also an honors college and four-year degrees. Miami Dade also puts a strong focus on preparing students for real-world careers. It graduates more nurses, for example, than any other college. 2 TIAA-CREF Theodore M. Hesburgh Award

Then, after working his way to a doctorate in economics at the University of Florida, Dr. Padrón made the choice to repay a debt he felt he owed to society.

5 Dr. Charles B. Reed Chancellor California State University Advancing core values despite dwindling financial support In 1998, after leading the State University System of Florida for 13 years, Dr. Charles B. Reed accepted the job as chancellor of the California State University (CSU) system, the largest public university system in the world. It was the CSU s mission that sold Dr. Reed on the job. He explains, The students at the CSU reminded me of how I was as a student. Many of our students are first in their families to go to college, and come from workingclass backgrounds. Reed s own roots are in a working-class town in Pennsylvania, where his coal-miner father gave him perhaps the most important advice of his life: Go to college or go to the coal mines. Today, about one in five CSU students is a first-generation college student, and 40% of CSU students come from households where English is not the main language spoken. In his 14 years at the CSU helm, despite the reality of crippling state budget cuts, the CSU is in the vanguard of the most forward-thinking systems of higher education in the nation. It now serves more students than ever (412,000 students on 22 campuses) and is setting a national standard for education excellence and affordability. In 2011, the CSU was recognized by the Education Trust for having two of its campuses Fullerton and Long Beach ranked among the top five universities in the country for being the most affordable, accessible, and with high graduation rates. CSU is also notable for providing leadership in high-need areas; for example, doubling the number of math and science teachers graduating since TIAA-CREF Theodore M. Hesburgh Award 3

Reed on the job. He explains, The students at the CSU reminded me of how I was as a student. Many of our students are first in their families to go to college, and come from workingclass backgrounds.

6 Fostering the leadership legacy of The Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh C.S.C., President Emeritus University of Notre Dame The Hesburgh Award honors Father Hesburgh, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, where he served with distinction for 35 years. His pre-eminence as an educator is matched by his compassion and courage as a humanitarian, garnering 16 presidential appointments on matters as varied as civil rights, atomic energy and solving campus unrest, and earning him the Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. His stature as an elder statesman in American higher education is reflected in his 150 honorary degrees, the most ever awarded to one person. We at TIAA-CREF, along with our clients, were privileged to have had the benefit of Father Hesburgh s service on the TIAA Board of Overseers for 28 years. His leadership excellence continues to have far-reaching impact. With the Hesburgh Award, our goal is to honor exemplary leadership that both builds organizational success and leads to a better society. Roger W. Ferguson, Jr. President & CEO, TIAA-CREF 4 TIAA-CREF Theodore M. Hesburgh Award

His pre-eminence as an educator is matched by his compassion and courage as a humanitarian, garnering 16 presidential appointments on matters as varied as civil rights, atomic energy and solving

7 About the TIAA-CREF Hesburgh Award This award is one of the most prestigious honors in academic stewardship. It is presented to a current college or university president or chancellor who embodies the spirit of Father Hesburgh, his commitment and contributions to higher education and society. The TIAA-CREF Hesburgh Award is administered by the TIAA-CREF Institute. About the TIAA-CREF Institute The TIAA-CREF Institute is a thought leader and model for knowledge building and public engagement on lifetime financial security, retirement planning, and organizational success in higher education and the charitable public sectors.

higher education and society. The TIAA-CREF Hesburgh Award is administered by the TIAA-CREF Institute.

8 About TIAA-CREF TIAA-CREF s mission, unchanged since 1918, is to serve those who serve others. Focusing primarily on institutions and individuals in the academic, medical, cultural, research and governmental communities, we offer solutions that help our participants seek lifetime financial security and well-being, consistent with our nonprofit heritage. TIAA-CREF Institute is a division of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA), New York, New York. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC and Teachers Personal Investors Services, Inc., members FINRA, distribute securities products Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF), 730 Third Avenue, New York, New York C3599 (3/12)

financial security and well-being, consistent with our nonprofit heritage. TIAA-CREF Institute is a division of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA), New York, New York.

TIAA-CREF Institute. Public Policy Thought Leadership Program. Helping Policymakers Promote Financial Security

TIAA-CREF Institute. Public Policy Thought Leadership Program. Helping Policymakers Promote Financial Security TIAA-CREF Institute Public Policy Thought Leadership Program Helping Policymakers Promote Financial Security About the Institute The TIAA-CREF Institute produces original research and insights on issues